Running DMX from a xLights

[nzlongfellow]

I have some 27 Channel DMX controllers. I need to operate some flood lights and strobes.
Strobes are 5V and self-flashing so only need steady 5V supply.
I have tried different combinations of power supplies, Buck converters and the likes but have problems getting strobes to flash.

xLights Test Background only 255 intensity should give full current flow to 0V but I measure 120 Ohms from the 0V on the controller to the 0V on the PSU.

How do I get xLights / Nutcracker to control DMX........

[JonB256]

I would have to assume that your Strobes are LED type strobes and use 5VDC ?  (the Xenon strobes all seem to use house voltage AC)

The 27 Channel DMX controllers use MOSFETs to control their DC output using Pulse Width Modulation. At a DMX input value of 255, they will output a DC voltage virtually equal to the voltage input to the controller. If you are applying 12vdc to the controller, then you will get approx 11.9vdc out.

If you ever connected your 5vdc strobes to the 12vdc output, then you may have killed the strobes.

If you are powering the DC controller with 5VDC, then the controller may not have enough voltage to work.

Final comment / question - which 27 Channel DMX controller is it?  LOR?  Ray Wu / Aliexpress? HolidayCoro?

[nzlongfellow]

I have never subjected strobes to anything more than 5V.
They are Chip based. You apply 5V constant and they strobe at random times.
They are Aliexpress.

Set xLights to "background only" at 255 intensity. 12V supply to controller.

1) I connected +5V supply to strobe and 0V to controller. No strobes.

2) Next tried Buck Converter connected to 12V supply then out to strobe then back to controller 0V. No go.

3) Next tried Buck Converter onto controller terminals - strobe worked but dull.

There is 120 Ohms between 0V terminals 1 - 27 and the PS 0V terminal.
Seems very high. That is why 3) above is dull I suspect.

Seems a high resistance for the MOSFET. Open to any answers (as always).

[nzlongfellow]

OK I have found a work-around for 27Channel controller and the Strobes.

It would appear the current through the ACL Stobe will not activate the MOSFET correctly when the 0V of the strobe is connected to it. I have 12V powering the board.

When I connected the Buck converter 0V to the same controller terminal as the strobe 0V I have full control and full colour (color for our other friends).
I have only been connecting 1 strobe so if more are daisy chained then the problem may go away.

So for now I will fit a Buck converter to each terminal I want for the strobes unless multiple strobes per terminal fixes the problem.

[JonB256]

All the DC voltage Christmas/Lighting boards I've dealt with (including that 27 channel board) are "Common Positive," meaning that they are turning the Negative on and off.
That may be why it didn't act like you thought.